Toastmasters

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I am part of Toastmasters and this is my second speech.

http://www.toastmasters.org/


Aspergers Syndrome
Introduction:
Albert Einstein once said, “The difference between genius and insanity is their level of success.”
Behaviour: Normal/Abnormal
Use of stereotypes eg. Aspergers
Definitions
· Asperger Syndrome or (Asperger's Disorder) is a neurobiological disorder named after a Austrian physician, Hans Asperger.
· A syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a particular abnormality.
· In 1944 Hans Asperger published a paper which described a pattern of behaviors in several young boys who had normal intelligence and language development.
· These young boys also exhibited autistic-like behaviors and marked deficiencies in social and communication skills.
· Aspergers syndrome had not been diagnosed in North America until the 1980s because Hans Asperger’s paper was not translated to English until the 1970s. Also Asperger Syndrome was only added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ver. 4 (DSM IV) until 1994.
I was diagnosed in

Aspergers syndrome is also known as Pervasive Developmental Disorder or PDD.
Autistic spectrum disorders such as Aspergers Syndrome occurs in 1/10,000 individuals or 0.01%
“Although it has often been considered to be a disorder, it would be better to describe it as a personality style because of the fact that the people who have it tend to be social loners.”


The signs of Aspergers are:
Difficulty making friends
Difficulty reading or communicating through nonverbal social cues, such as facial expressions. (For example, I cannot glare)
No understanding that others may have thoughts or feelings different from his or her own
Overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights.
The person with AS may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see.
Obsessive focus on a narrow interest, such as reciting train schedules
Awkward motor skills
Inflexibility about routines especially when changes occur spontaneously
Loud, monotonous, or mechanical speech.


Diagnostic Criteria
A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
1. marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
2. failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
3. a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g. by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
4. lack of social or emotional reciprocity
B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
1. encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
2. apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
3. stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
4. persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning
D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)
E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood
F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia

Ending
For me, I tend to laugh at myself so often, I love the quirkiness of my disorder.
I would rather die, than change my aspie personality.

I did a bit more improve and acted out the funny bits.

I am impressed that you do Toastmasters. How is it going? Does it really help you get more comfortable speaking to groups?

I assume that isn't the speech word for word as you will say it. It's just a listing of definitions, facts, and diagnostic criteria.

Toastmaster does sound pretty cool.
It's to be encourged for everyone..I'm not bad at public speaking I just kinda seperate myself from the people and viola! I do just fine..and I don't see why a speech can't be mainly facts..

I used to give speeches to even up to 100+ people at a time. It was hard at first but I learned from it the hard way to improve My speaking ability and it did give Me confidence. I always tired to improve too.

I am giving this speech for a competition next week.
Thus it must be as entertaining as possible.
Here it is so far:

Mithrandir,

I too joined TM late last year and was in the process of giving it a good getting-to-know-you time before giving WP my 411 about it. It looks like you beat me to the punch

I applaud you for your decision to join this excellent speaker's club. btw- I too have given one speach about the general traits of AS and as I write this, I am wrapping up another about the social dyslexic aspect of the condition before I present it.

Keep it up with them, Mithrandir! I think any Aspie could benefit well with the learning of self confidence, leadership skills, and personal growth TM is focused on fostering.

Membership fee: a modest 3-digit figure.
Mastery in being the life of the party: priceless.

I've been considering joining Toastmasters for a few years, now. I need a Social Outlet and my Clubhouse doesn't seem to provide that foundation, lately. I also need to build up my Self Confidence and Assertiveness Skills.

I am on my fourth toastmasters speech, given last night.

I have to admit, it has been helping me alot with public speaking. Last years board was really good about accommodating of my AS issues, especially with bells and lights that were being used to time speeches and mark um's and ah's. However, this years board seems a lost less tolerant, so I am having to do a little more education with them.

How do you do with table topics? I find the prepared speeches are not the problem, its the impromptu speaking that has been hard for me. However, I am finding that I am getting much better at impromptu speaking outside of toastmasters, particularly on topics that I am more prepared or familiar with.

I think what is nice about toastmasters is that it is pretty structured, so that there isn't a lot of social interaction if I want to avoid it.

drinkingt

T,

The tabletopics aren't my favorite either but I force myself to participate. I too am finding this exercise helpful with those situations where something is said to me and I'm like a deer in front of headlights. Tabletopics is about thinking -and saying on your feet and I find it does have a positive effect on your own person's presentation in front of other people. Keep up the great work!


Cockney,

I'd say go for it and give it a chance. Attend some meetings as a guest if you can, make your AS issues known, and see what your prospective Club members have to offer. Whatever you decide, good luck!

I did not win the competition but that will not stop me.

The problem I have is memorizing my speech. I think I didn't time my going to the lecturn correctly.
The guy before me gave the best speech ever, but he didn't win either.
I think the competition may have a senior's bias.